Fallout 4 Modding: Stability Tips?

[EquestrianMidnight]

Hello, all! I've managed to (somewhat accidentally) create a heavily modded, yet stable load order of Skyrim and now I am attempting to do so with Fallout 4. I'd like to make it as crash and bug free as possible while knowing that a 100% stable game with a lot of mods is extremely unlikely. Still, I'd like to try regardless.

I've noticed that Fallout 4 has less advice and tools out there online to help with game stability than it does Skyrim (for example, there is no Crash Fixes-esque mod for Fallout 4 that I can find), so while I research, I'm hoping somebody here with experience in modding this game will tell me something I don't know. Here's everything I know so far:

I use MO2.

I use LOOT, however sorting manually in accordance to the load order tips provided by mod authors in their descriptions is supposed to yield better results and I plan to do so if necessary.

I use FO4Edit, but my experience with it goes as far as cleaning files.

I plan to get an SSD since it has been stated numerous times that SSDs make the game much faster.

Adding and removing mods in the middle of a play-through can invite problems, but removing them is harder to fix, especially for mods with scripts. It is possible to "clean" saves using tools like Fallrim Tools, but it isn't a perfect solution.

Cleaning files out of the Overwrite section can help in removing errors.

I do have the Unofficial Patch.

But if there's anything else (like a list of mods all users should avoid) or some tool and bug fix or something I can do to ensure my game is as smooth as possible whilst having numerous mods, I'd like to know about it. Currently, on a play-through about 4 hours long, I've been having some crashes and infinite-loading screens. Even had a crash that gave me a message that had something to do with memory, so I'm thinking I might have too many texture mods. :P

Thanks for reading.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Nexus18306

[Wererommel]

You need to know that the last update, in November, made some formerly reliable mods buggy, and there were many changes before that. If you Google it, you can get lists of basic, reliable mods.

 

https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/fallout-4/the-top-10-fallout-4-mods/#craftable-ammo

 

After that, you're on your own. Before loading any new mod check the last date it was updated; anything more than a year old is suspect. Also, see how many bugs have been reported and skim the posts to see what problems have been reported.

 

Also beware of custom settlements. They often have conflicts with the basic game or with each other. Once you have loaded a new settlement (or anything with a workbench), removing it will screw up the settlement list, and any saves after that will be worthless.

 

You sometimes have the choice of .esp mods and .esl mods. There is a limit on the number of .esp mods, so many prefer .esls, but .esps are better for settlements.

 

Also, bear in mind that some things that sound really cool, like Sim Settlements, are incompatible with a lot of mods, so adding them to your game is a big decision.

Edited May 23, 2020 by Wererommel

[EquestrianMidnight]

Fixed it. :tongue: Turns out it was a problem with enblocal.ini. VideoMemorySizeMb was too low. Still, thank you, above. I will note all you've written.

Edited May 24, 2020 by Nexus18306